The really cool thing though is that it does not take much to make a good recording. We've come a mighty long way since I made my first aud. recording...

You're defintely right about that! I've got some pretty good equipment on hand but can make a very fine sounding recording with just Chuch Audio ST-11 cards > Battery Box > iHp-120 (replace the battery box with a preamp if the concert is not going to be very loud). Haven't screwed up a recording due to clipping in quite a long time.